Silverware burnishing machine



D 4, 1934. H, ROBINSON 1,983,401

S ILVERWARE BURNI SHING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet l I Igig/l,

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Dec. 4, 1934. v H. ROBINSON 1,983,401

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Dec. 4, 1934. H ROBlNsON 1,983,401

SILVERW E BURNISHING MACHINE iled July 29, 17955 6 sheet 4 Gamma/g,

Dec. 4,1934. H RO'BW ON 1,983,401

SILVERWARE BURNISHING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 5awe/whom,

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mm bb hm mmw w WMIMFMM A 2% Patented Dec. 4, 1934 PATENT OFFICE1,983,401 SILVERWARE BURNISHING MACHINE Henry Robinson, Lindenhurst, N.Y. Application July 29, 1933, Serial No. 682,856

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for burnishing articles of silvertableware wherein the silverware with a liquid detergent and metallicballs are tumbled.

It is generally aimed to provide an exceedingly durable and compactconstruction capable of ready manufacture and efiiciency in use.

In addition, such a machine is provided with maximum safety featuresagainst bodily injury,

and escape of liquid from the tumbler and tank onto the operator andinto the motor.

A very important object is to provide an extremely efficient closuremeans for the tumbler,

enabling the required pressure to be applied with minimum eifort toinsure against the escape'of liquid, and in which latching membersconstitute extensions and parts of the lever arms for operating suchclosure means, being movable into fastened positions with the samemotion of applying the closure means and automatically therewith.

Another important feature resides in the mounted position of the motorto attain secure and rigid fastening thereof away from the zone ofsplashing water and permit free movement of the cover of the tank orcasing and positioning and operation of clutch and drum shaft lockmeans.

Still another object is to produce a construction wherein the tumbler iseccentrically mounted within the tank to enable baskets to freely beplaced into and removed from the tank between the tumbler andfront'inner side wall of. the

tank, such baskets being adapted to receive the tumbler and washed andtank, the tank having a porthe baskets to rest silverware from thesterilized while in the tion of its bottom arranged for thereon andanother portion inclined to facilitate drainage.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the description following, taken in connection withaccompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved burnishing machine, thecasing cover beingshown raised and the cover or closure of the tumbleralso being shown raised or open;

Figure 2 is a detail horizontal on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional View through thetumbler and its closure, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 10;

Figure 4 is a substantially central longitudinal sectional viewprimarily through the casing;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective viewof one of the cams used in theclosure means for the tumbler;

section, taken Figure 6 is a substantiallycentral transverse sectionalview through the casing;

Figure 'l is a detail perspective View of one of the links used in theclosure mechanism for the tumbler;

Figure 8 is a detail perspective View of one of the operating andlatching lever means for the tumbler cover;

Figure 9 is a detail horizontal section, taken on the line 99 of Figure8;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the tumbler in closed condition; y

Figure 11 is a cross section through the clutch and lock mechanism,taken substantially on the plane of line 11-11 of Figure 20;

Figure 12 is a detail in elevation, showing one of the hinges for thecasing cover;

Figure 13 is a detail section through portions of the casing and showingthe last mentioned hinge;

Figure 14 is a detail rear view of a portion of the tumbler, showing oneof the hinges used thereon;

Figure 15 is an enlarged end elevation of the upper portion of thecasing, clutch and lock, and drive;

Figure 16 is a detail section, taken on line 16- 16 of Figure 20,showing the lock teeth which the clutch engages;

Figure 1'7 is a detail perspective view of the sectional guide and latchplate for the clutchshifting lever;

Figure 18 is a detail perspective view of the keeper plate engaged bythe latches of the tumbler closure mechanism;

Figure 19 is a View in front elevation primarily showing the clutch andlock mechanism and the drive, the connection to the casing beingfragmentarily shown in section;

Figure 20 is a substantially central longitudinal sectional view throughthe clutch and lock mechanism;

Figure 21 is a detail view, partly insection and partly broken away,showing the worm and worm wheel drive for the tumbler; and,

Figure 22 is a detail sectional view, showing the motor shaft and driveshaft connection.

Referring specifically to the drawings, Wherein like referencecharacters designate like or corresponding parts in the several views,the machine briefly is adapted to tumble table silveware, or otherarticles, ina tumbler drum A, which also contains small metallic ballsand soapy water or other liquid detergent. Said tumbler drum A isadapted to be rotated from an electric motor B through the medium ofsuitable-gearing under control of a clutch C, which also serves to lockthe tumbler against accidental rotation, as a safety feature to theoperator, when the tumbler is open and the cleaned silverware is removedSuch silverware is deposited in one or more foraminous baskets D, asbest shown in Figures 5 and 6, applicable to and removable from a casingE through the space between the tumbler and front wall of the casing.The silverware, while in the baskets D, is rinsed and sterilized byimmersion in the hot water bath of the tank supplied from any suitablesource through means F.

The tumbler and its closure means Reverting to the tumbler A, the sameis made of any suitable material, such as wood, or metal, or composite,and is, preferably but not necessarily, octagonal or otherwise polygonalin cross section to facilitate tumbling, the shape being well shown inFigures 1 and 6. Said tumbler has a main section 10' and a cover orclosure section 11 joined together by hinges 12 (Figures 6 and 14). Saidhinges 12 comprise leaves 13 secured to the section 11 and leaves 14fastened to section 10. Said leaves are pivoted together by horizontalpintles 15 and respectively have abutment shoulders 16 and 17 adaptedfor engagement to limit movement of cover 11 to and sustain it in theopen position of Figure 1, the center of gravity being slightly past thevertical. Section 10 may have a handle 10, if desired.

The meeting edges of both sections 10 and 11 are thickened or widened at18 and grooved at 19, so as to be filled by an endless rubber or othergasket 20. Said gasket is generally round in cross section but has aflange 21 extending from one side thereof which fits tight in anextension 22 of one of the grooves 19. Either groove may have saidextension 22. Said flange 21 is preferably wedge fitted in the extension22, and, if desired, glued or bonded therein as well. The gasket is thusfixed to one of the sections, for instance, 10, as shown, while theother section is free to engage or disengage the same. It isparticularly to be noted that such gasket crosses the junction line ofthe sections 10 and 11 in order to intercept any moisture to preventescape from the tumbler. The gasket is subject also to compression tomore effectively seal the closure or cover.

Integral with or otherwise provided on the front wall of the tumbler arespaced lugs 23 straddled by bifurcations 24 of links 25, horizontalpivot pins 26 passing therethrough. In the free ends of said links 25, aclamping rod 27 is journaled. The front edge'portion of closure 11 isextended at 28 and has notches or slots 29. Said links 25 are adapted tobe swung into the notches 29 whereby clamping rod 27 is located abovethe flange or extension 28. Cams 30 are fastened to clamping rod 27, oneabutting each side of each link, whereby the clamping rod is mountedagainst displacement. Through turning of the clamping rod, said cams 30depress the cover tightly over the gasket 20 to insure a seal againstthe escape of water. To this end, cranks or levers 31 are rigidlyfastened to the clamping rod at opposite ends. Such levers arepreferably split at 32, so they may be slipped over the rod andthereafter rigidly bolted in place, as at 33. Elements 34 are pivoted at35 to the levers 31, their axes being at a right angle to thelongitudinal axis of the clamping rod. Therefore, elements 34 functionas extensions and parts of the levers. Such elements have a limitedlateral movement on the pivots 35 due to the clearance at 36 and, hence,as the levers are depressed into closing position, lugs 37 on elements34 register with one or more openings 38 on the sides of cover 11, and ae 511 into the same. Only one or a series of such openings or sockets 38may be provided, as preferred, and they are preferably formed in plates39, welded or otherwise secured to cover 10.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that the closure mechanismdoes not involve any detachable parts and is exceedingly simple, durableand efficient, giving the required leverage and clamping effect for theexpenditure of minimum power. It is to be particularly borne in mindthat the clamping and locking of the said mechanism is accomplishedthrough substantially the same or continuous movement of the hand, inthat the hand moves the lever 31 and element 34 simultaneouslydownwardly and inwardly so that the lug 3'7 automatically enters thedesired socket upon registering therewith, through the said movement orpressure of the hand. Reverse movement of the levers 31 disengages thecams from the cover and swings the links 25 and clamping rod outwardlyto the extent limited by lugs 40 on such links. Handles 41 may also beprovided on the elements 34 to facilitate retraction of lugs 37 from thesockets.

The ends of section 10 have hubs 42, in one of which a stub shaft 43 isfixed and in turn journaled in a bearing or bracket 44, bolted orotherwise fastened to one end wall of casing D. In the other hub 42 ashaft 45 is fixed. Shaft 45 is journaled in a bearing 46 extendingthrough a thickened part 47 of the adjacent end wall of the casing E andfastened thereto as, by bolting, at 48. Power is imparted to the shaft45, as will later be specifically described, to rotate the tumbler.

The casing The casing E consists of a main section or tank 49 and acover or closure section 50 pivoted thereto by hinges 51 having leaves52 pivoted at 53. Said leaves have surfaces 54 adapted to abut in openposition, as shown in Figure 1, to support the cover slightly past thevertical (Figures 1, 6, 10 and 12).

Main casing section 49 may be constructed in one piece, or in any otherWay. As shown, the ends 54 thereof are parts of castings which alsoinclude supporting legs 55. Ends 54 have flanges 56 at the bottom. andsides which are engaged water-tight by a body section 57, riveted,welded, or in any other way secured to said flanges. A brace rod 58 mayconnect said legs 55. This construction enables me to use the castings54-55 with body sections 5'7 of varying lengths according to the size ofthe machine desired.

7 As well shown in Figure 6, the tumbler and its mounting are disposedeccentrically of the casing closer to the rear than the front, therebyproviding a relatively large space 59, through which the previouslymentioned foraminous baskets or trays D may be inserted and removed.After a tumbling operation and opening of the tumbler A, the silverwareis transferred to the basket or baskets D positioned in the tank, as inFigures 4 and 6. The basket D and its contents are immersed in hot waterin the tank, supplied from any desired source through the previouslymentioned pipe line F. Said pipe line F has a control valve 60. Theoutlet from the tank is shown at 61 (Figure 9) to a drain pipe 62leading to a sewer or other point of discharge, and which includes aremovable trap 63. Such hot water rinses and sterilizes the silverware.The forward portion of the bottom wall of tank 49 is preferably fiat at64, to better support the basket or baskets D,

and the remainder of said bottom wall inclines toward it to insurecomplete drainage of the used water from tank, when required.

Said cover section 50 of the casing has a handle 65, and the end wallsare notched at 66 and 67 to respectively fit the bearing 44 and hub 42.As best shown in Figure 1, said cover 50 is shorter than the main casingsection, so as to terminate short of the transmission and clutch, permitthe parts to be freely manipulated and the cover to be readily openedand closed. Such cover 50 acts as a guard over the revolving tumbler andpre' vents any water being thrown from the casing.

Thedrive The previously mentioned motor B is electric, and while it maybe positioned in the fully enclosed type, yet it need not be, as it ispositioned out of the zone where splashing water can reach its parts orinterfere with its operation, being mounted adjacent the top of themachine with its longitudinal axis inclined upwardly and rearwardly andalso outwardly and upwardly. An upstanding vertical post 68, shown inFigure 4, is

. located at the right rear corner of the machine,

supported and suitably clamped in a bracket 69 fastened to that cornerof the tank 19. At its upper end, post 68 mounts an inclined shelf 70,which carries the said motor B, its drive shaft 71 depending at theangle mentioned through an opening in the shelf, a sectional protectinghousing 72 of suitable construction surrounding the same. A shaft 73,aligned with shaft 71, is coupled thereto at 74 within said housing 72.Shaft 73 carries a worm gear-75 enmeshed with a worm wheel 76 loose onthe tumbler shaft 45, such gears being enclosed in a casing with clutchand look parts now to be described.

The clutch and tumbler lock The previously mentioned bearing 46 is partof a section 77 of a casing for the clutch and tumbler lock mechanism C,the casing being completed by a main section 78 and detachably bolted at79 to section 77. Said sections 77 and 78 include portions orenlargements 80 and 81, respectively, which house the gear worm 75 andmount bearings 82 and 83 for shaft 73, thrust collars 84 on the shaftabutting the latter bearings to position the shaft 75. Said worm wheelis enclosed by the main portions of the clutch casing 7778, which alsoencloses a slidable clutch member 85. Said clutch 85 rotates with shaft45 as well as slides axially thereof due to the engagement of splines orkeys 86 on the shaft in slots 87 extending from the bore of the clutchmember. Equldistantly spaced teeth 88 on said clutch member 85 areengageable with similar equidistantly spaced teeth 89 on the adjacentside of worm wheel 76 in order to rotate the tumbler. Teeth 90 areprovided on the other end of clutch 85 and adapted for engagementwithsimilar teeth 91 integral with the casing section 78 and thus rigid withthe frame of the machine, resulting in latching or looking the shaft 45and tumbler against accidental rotation. This is especially desirable inovercoming the accident hazard incident to removing silverware from thetumbler .into the basket D. I

In order to slide the clutch 85, a ring "9.2 loosely surrounds theclutch between a wall 93 thereof and a retainer ring 94 fastened at 95thereto. Said ring '92 at diametrically opposite points is pivotallyconnected by pins 96 to a ring 97 of an operating lever 98 having anextension 99 pivoted ing means on the at. 100 in an extensionlOl ofhousing section 78. The space within the ring 97 is relatively large toprovide clearance for movement, relatively to ring 92. .A handle 102 onlever 98 extends exteriorly of the casing through a horiozntal slot 103in section 78, and a similar slot 104 formed in a guide and latch plate105, best shown in Figure 17. Plate 105 is preferably screwed in placeat 105' and made in sections dividing along the line 106, one sectionhaving three notches 107, 108 and 109 therein. A-latch 110 is pivoted at111 to handle 102 having a lug 112 urged toward the said notches by aspring 113. The said clutch is movable to three positions, namely,driving (by engagement of teeth 87 and 88), neutral and tumbler-locking(by engagement of teeth 90 and 91) The clutch is locked in the saidthree positions in the order named through the engagement of lug 112 inthe notches 107, 108 and 109, respectively.

The particular angles mentioned for the motor and its shaft not onlyenable a compact structure to be provided and the cover 50 used withfreedom of swinging, but cause the motor shaft tocoact with the post 68in providing an inverted-V support, thus rigidly mounting the motorsubstantially against vibration. The rigidity is enhanced by theconnection of casing section 77 to the thickened wall portion 17.

Various changes may be resorted to, provided they. fall within thespirit, and scope of the invention.

. I claim as my invention:

1. .In combination with a tumbler or the like having separable sections,a rod, link means in which said rod is'journaled, said link means beingpivoted on one section, the other section having an extension providedwith a notch, the link means being movable through'the notch of theextension, clamping means on the rod engageable with the extension, acrank on the rod operable to turn it, an element pivoted to the crank onan axis at an angle to that of the rod and forming an extension of thecrank, and interengaging means between said element and adjacent sectionof the tumbler.

2. In combination with a tumbler or the like having separable sections,a rod, link means transversely of said rod and in which said rod isjournaled, said link means being pivoted on one section, the othersection having an extension provided with a notch, the link means beingmovable through the notch of the extension, clamprod engageable with theextension, a crank on the rod operable to turn it, an element pivoted tothe crank on an axis at an angle to tha-tof the rod and forming anextension of the crank, and one of, said sections having a socketentered by the element.

3.. In. combination with a tumbler or the like having separablesections, a rod, link means in which said rod is iournaled, said linkmeans be ing pivoted on one'section, the other section having anextension provided with a notch, the link means being movable throughthe notch of the extension, clamping means on the rod engageable withthe extension, a crank on the rod oper able to, turn it, an elementpivoted to the crank on an axis at an angle to that of the rod andforming an extension of the crank, and means of interengagement betweensaid element and one of the sectionssubstantially automaticallyengagea'ble through a single applying movement of the crank.

4. In combination with a section of a tumbler or the like, a sectionmovable relatively thereto and having an extension beyond the sameprovided with a notch, a link pivoted to the first section, and movableinto and out of the notch, a rod journaled in the link, cams on said rodon opposite sides of the link, means operable to turn the rod so thatsaid cams will engage said extension, a crank adjacent one end of saidrod, and a latching element thereon engageable with the second section,said latching element forming an extension of the crank and beingpivoted thereto at a right angle to its axis.

5. In combination with a section of a tumbler or the like, a sectionmovable relative thereto having an extension beyond the same providedwit notches, links pivoted on the first section and journaling the rod,said links being insertible into said notches, cams on the rod engagingthe extension, cranks at opposite ends of the rod, extensions pivoted tothe cranks on an axis at an angle to that of the rod, and means ofinterengagement between the extensions and second section.

6. Closure mechanism comprising a rotatable rod, cam means thereon,links in which said rod is journaled adapted for pivotal connection to asupporting means, means operable to turn the rod, including a crank onthe rod, and a latching extension pivoted to the crank on an axis at anangle to that of the rod.

7. In a machine of the class described, a casing having a tank section,a tumbler journaled therein, drive means at one end of the tank sectionhaving a box on the exterior of the tank section and having a drivingshaft extending upwardly,

rearwardly and longitudinally away from the box, a motor at the top ofsaid shaft, an upstanding post on said tank section, a supportsurmounting said post, said motor being disposed above the tank andbeing mounted on said support, sheathing about said shaft rigidlyconnected to the motor housing, support and box, and a cover for thecasing disposed over the tumbler and terminating short of the drivingend of the tank section so that it is capable of swinging to open andclosed positions.

8. In combination with a side wall of a casing, a laterally disposedshaft journaled therein to drive mechanism in the casing, a box having asection on the exterior of said wall in which said shaft is journaled,an upstanding post on the exterior of said casing and adjacent the rearof said wall, a motor support inclined rearward and downward surmountingsaid post, a motor above said casing on said support, shaft means drivenby the motor depending therefrom at a right angle to said support, saidshaft means also extending upwardly and longitudinally away from thecasing, gear and clutch means in said casing between said shaft andshaft means, said box having means therein engageable by the clutch tolock the shaft against rotation, and enclosing means for the shaft meansrigid with said housing, said support and said box.

9. In combination with a tumbler or the like having separable sections,a rod, link means in which said rod is journaled, said link means beingpivoted on one section below the rod, the other section having anextension below the rod in the closed condition of the tumbler andprovided with a notch, the link means extending below its pivotal axisand being normally spaced from the adjacent section, the link means insaid closed condition occupying the notch, said link means being movableaway from the tumbler out of said notch and past a perpendicular linepassing through the axis of movement of the link, the lower end portionof the link means during outward movement abutting the adjacent sectionto maintain the rod materially above the said pivotal axis of the linkmeans, clamping means on the rod engageable with the extension, andoperating means on the rod beyond one end of the tumbler, said operatingmeans being depressible inwardly and away from the rod and downwardlytoward the tumbler to apply the clamping means.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said operating means is adaptedto hang from the rod when the sections are unfastened to maintain therod and clamping means retracted from the path of movement of themovable section.

11. The combination of claim 9 wherein said operating means is anelement pivoted to the rod and has a fastening element applicable to andremovable from an end wall of the tumbler through movement in a plane ata right angle to said end wall.

12. In combination with a section of a tumbler or the like, a sectionmovable relatively thereto and having an extension beyond the sameprovided with a notch, a link pivoted to the first section below theextension, and movable into and out of the notch, a rod disposed atsubstantially a right angle to and journaled in the link above theextension, cams on said rod on opposite sides of the link, and meansoperable to turn the rod in a direction inwardly and downwardly relativeto the axis of movement of the tumbler so that said cams will engagesaid extension, said means also being movable upwardly and outwardlywith respect to said axis to move the link out of said notch and thenassume a depending position, the link means being adapted to contactwith the section to limit its movement out of the notch to maintain therod materially above the pivotal axis of the link means.

13. A machine of the class described having a casing, a box on theexterior of a side wall thereof, a tumbler in said casing having a shaftextending laterally through said side wall and into the box, anupstanding post carried by and exteriorly of the said casing, a motorabove the casing surmounting the post, a depending shaft driven by themotor disposed in inverted V-relation to said post, said shaft alsoextending upwardly and longitudinally away from said side wall,sheathing about said shaft rigidly connected to the motor housing andbox, and means housed by the box to drive the first mentioned shaft fromthe last mentioned shaft.

14. In combination with a side wall of a casing, an exterior boxthereon, a laterally disposed shaft journaled in the casing to drivemechanism in the casing, said shaft extending into the box, anupstanding post on the exterior of said casing, a motor above thecasing, an inclined support for the motor surmounting the post, adepending shaft driven by the motor disposed in inverted V-relation tosaid post, said shaft also extending upwardly and longitudinally awayfrom said side wall, sheathing about said shaft rigidly connected to theinclined support and box, and means housed by the box to drive the firstmentioned shaft from the last mentioned shaft.

HENRY ROBINSON.

